The beautyberry bush produces long wands of purple berries that often have a metallic sheen, quite a sight for the fall garden. The American beautybush grows 3 to 8 feet high and is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 11. The Japanese beautybush is 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8. Both types can be cut back severely in the spring if necessary. The flowers — usually pinkish to white — form on new wood.

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An added plus to good fall color in the landscape is being able to preserve that color for late-season bouquets. The blooms of strawflower come in yellow, orange and red and many variations in between, and the color holds even after drying. Strawflower is an annual or short-lived perennial (in USDA Zones 8 to 11).

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Plant fall-blooming crocus in late summer and you'll enjoy these sweet flowers just four to six weeks later. Thwart squirrels from invading your crocus planting by anchoring chicken wire firmly over the bed.

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Related to snapdragons, twinspur (Diaschia)is a cool-weather annual, producing its bright blooms as long as nighttime temperatures stay below 70 or so. In northern climates, that means flowers from spring through fall until the first hard frost. Comes in pink, rose, orange, salmon, cream, white and combos. Perennial in USDA Zone 7 and warmer.

Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) is a good choice for brilliant fall color in areas where the sugar maple won't grow. The leaves are slow to appear in the spring but hang on late in the fall, turning a brilliant reddish orange. Used for root stock for the pistachio nut tree (P. vera), Chinese pistachio produces fruits that aren't palatable to humans, but birds like them. Medium-sized tree (to 35 feet tall), drought resistant, USDA Zones 6b to 9.

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Panicle hydrangeas bloom in early summer, starting out white, then transitioning to pink and purplish pink in early fall. The species is a coarse, open shrub with an unkempt appearance, but selections like 'Limelight' have great form, especially in containers.

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The colorful foliage of coral bells (Heuchera) adds texture and interest to the spring, summer and fall garden — and winter in warm climates. Here, 'Marmalade' is a blend of deep gold and hot pink. Give heucheras moist, well-drained soil, part to full shade in the South. USDA Zones 4 to 9.

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Witchhazels bloom in the fall or winter, depending on the species. The flowers of the native Hamamelis virginiana appear anytime from October to December and may be mostly lost amid the fall foliage, but you can still enjoy their fragrance.

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Ladybugs, though welcome guests in summer gardens, swarm during autumn in some regions of the U.S., looking for a place to overwinter. They often end up in attics and crawl spaces in large numbers. Keep them outside by sealing up any cracks or gaps in your home’s exterior.

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Alternanthera 'Purple Knight' produces lush foliage that keeps thriving — through heat and humidity — till frost. This tender perennial (hardy only to USDA Zone 10) is grown like an annual in most of the U.S.